2005 Programs and Events

Ambassador Krol Opens New American Corner In Grodno

U.S. Ambassador George Krol addressed a ceremony on January 25 opening a new American Corner in the Department of Foreign Literature in the Grodno Regional Scientific Library named after Y.F. Karski. At the event dedicating the seventh American Corner in Belarus, Ambassador Krol announced a U.S. donation of printed materials and equipment valued at more than $25,000.

Ambassador Krol expressed the hope that the donation would help the Foreign Literature Department "become a real center of engagement between the Belarusian and American peoples." He said that U.S. support for the American Corners in Belarus underscores "our faith in the almost limitless potential of education, of ordinary people from different nations simply reaching out to learn more about each other's cultures." The Ambassador also said he could think of no better investment of American resources than "these American Corners that create real bonds of mutual understanding and respect."

Guests at the ceremony included library officials, local government representatives, university students, professors and other individuals who use the library's facilities. The U.S. donation to the library included two computers, a TV/VCR set, DVD player, video films, CD-ROMs, DVDs, posters, English teaching materials, reference books, literary selections for young readers, and other printed materials that provide information about U.S. society, history, and cultural traditions.